Does It Really Matter How HOT Your Sauna Gets, Should You Use Your Phone In A Sauna, What Kind of Sauna Ben Greenfield Uses & More With Connie Zack

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Feb 26, 2026

Connie Zack, co-founder of Sunlighten and former pharmaceutical professional turned infrared sauna innovator. She talks about how infrared differs from traditional heat, why wavelength and energy matter more than air temperature, the pros and cons of phones and EMF in saunas, and how to choose the right sauna programs and models for different goals.

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ANECDOTE

Brother's Recovery Sparked Sunlighten's Founding

Connie Zack's brother recovered from severe illness after using an infrared sauna, which motivated her to research and found clinical support for infrared therapy.
That personal turnaround led Connie and her husband to leave pharma, mortgage assets, and found Sunlighten over 25 years ago.

INSIGHT

Infrared Adds Photon Biology Beyond Heat

Infrared delivers both heat and photon energy, so it can affect mitochondria and cellular function beyond air-heated saunas.
Connie says near-infrared and red light penetrate cells to boost ATP and reduce inflammation, creating effects traditional heat alone can't.

INSIGHT

Different Infrared Wavelengths Do Different Jobs

Different infrared wavelengths (far, mid, near, red) have distinct therapeutic targets, so separating and dosing them matters.
Sunlighten engineered separate wavelength delivery to maximize penetration, skin repair, detox and mitochondrial effects.

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Full Show Notes: BenGreenfieldLife.com/sunlightenpodcast

This episode is all about clearing up confusion and bringing practical advice to the world of sauna use. I brought on Connie Zack, who co-founded one of the most highly regarded infrared sauna companies, to help break down the research, technology, and best practices. We discussed questions like how hot a sauna needs to get, whether the latest gadgets and red lights are worthwhile, the real science behind detox and heat stress, and even tips for making sauna routines fit anyone’s lifestyle—whether you’re a hardcore athlete or just want to relax and recover.

Connie Zack is the co-founder of Sunlighten, the global leader in infrared sauna and light therapy and the creator of the full-spectrum, low EMF infrared sauna I use. Inspired by her brother's health transformation, she and her husband, Aaron, left successful pharmaceutical careers to revolutionize the industry with science-backed innovations.

Connie is a pioneer in infrared light technology, driving widespread education on its benefits through collaborative partnerships. A passionate advocate for holistic health, Connie integrates nutrition, exercise, mindfulness, and infrared therapy into her life. As a mother, wife, wellness enthusiast and entrepreneur, she brings light, hope and happiness to the world through her expertise in how infrared light and heat impacts healthy lifespan.

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- Sunlighten mPulse Sauna
- Sunlighten Solo Sauna
- Sunlighten Amplify Sauna
- Sunlighten Red Light Therapy Panel (with App)

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